Here are listed brief comments on books and other materials to David Loertscher sent by publishers, most recent titles first.

Science Fiction

• Sleator, William. The Boxes. Dutton, 1998. Uncle Marco gives Annie two boxes to store with specific instructions not to open them. Guess what? Thus opens a science fiction tale of strange creatures, time travel, and a friend who tries to help Annie cope with the unknown. Typical Sleator. Fast paced and an excellent introduction for budding teens to the genre.

Biography

• Meltzer, Milton. Ten Queens: Portraits of Women of Power. Dutton, 1998. In oversize format, Meltzer tells short but literary stories of ten powerful women: Esther, Cleopatra, Boudicca, Zenobia, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabel of Spain, Elizabeth I, Christina of Sweden, Maria Theresa and Catherine the Great.

• Hansen, Joyce. Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference. Scholastic, 1998. A picture book suitable for short reports on notables including the Delany Sisters, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Marian Wright Edelman, among others. Outstanding photo-portraits.

Social Responsibility

• Edelman, Marian Wright. Stand for Children. Quilts by Adrienne Yorinks. Hyperion, 1998. On June 1, 1996, Marian Wright Edelman, the president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund, held a rally at the Lincoln Memorial to encourage perople eveywhere to Sand Fro Children. The anniverary of that day is now celebrated every year as a day for Americans to reconfirm their commitment to children. Elelman's speech illustrated with quilts is a call to advocacy for a nation of young people often neglected or left behind. A book for all ages. Moving.

Questions and Wonders

Finds and Sorts

Consumes & Gulps

Thinks and Creates

• Swinburne, Stephen R. Lots and Lots of Zebra Stripes : Patterns in Nature: Boyds Mills Press, 1998. A fine picture book for children - or any age - to recognize regular and chaotic patterns in nature - and a wonderful stimulus to think about patterns of ideas, opinions, data, and information systems.

Summarizes & Concludes

Communicates

• Williams, Marcia. Tales From Shakespeare: Seven Plays presented by Marcia Williams.. Candlewick Press, 1998. For kids and teens who need a unique way of turning a report into a cartoon version, here is a great idea starter. Each brief play summary not only illustrates what the writer knows, but silly cartoon characters in the margins make hilarious comments.

Reflects on Process & Product